Indian MRCA competition

The purchase comes as French lawmakers express concern over a Franco-German project to develop a successor to the Rafale. The Future Combat Air system, as it is known, is not expected to enter service before 2045 or 2050, according to the French Senate's defense committee, writes Defense News.

With both countries having the Rafale, it will be an opportunity to work together and share information on the fighter

The Rafale has a longer range than the anti-aircraft weapons carried by warships of neighbouring adversary countries

Greece recently agreed to obtain 18 Rafale fighter jets

France will put in proposals to supply new frigates to Greece, which is building up its armed forces during a period of  tension with its neighbour and NATO partner, the French defence minister said on Monday.

Greek lawmakers approved the purchase of 18 Dassault-made Rafale jets from France for 2.5 billion euros ($3.04 billion) on Thursday, in a deal due to be signed by the Greek and French defence ministers later this month.

Greek lawmakers are scheduled to vote Thursday on a defense procurement program to purchase 18 French-made Rafale fighter planes, part of an armaments plan announced by the government in September.

A draft law of the Ministry of Defense for the acquisition of 18 French Rafale fighter aircraft will be submitted to Parliament on Tuesday.

The meeting Thursday of the Special Standing Committee on Armaments Programs and Contracts marks the start of the countdown for the purchase of French Rafale aircraft but also a series of steps that can lead to developments in other areas.

“In a few days we will sign the agreement on the Rafale”, said the PM at the Plenary debate on the voting of the 2021 budget